First Lady Tells Graduates 'We Don't Build Up Walls' in America

In her final commencement speech as first lady, Michelle Obama struck an uncharacteristically political tone as she told City College of New York graduates to be wary of politicians who have used their platform to spread fear to their followers. “They seem to view our diversity as a threat to be contained rather than as a resource to be tapped,” Obama said. “Here in America we don’t give in to our fears, we don’t build up walls to keep people out because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people who were born elsewhere but sought out this country and made it their home,” Obama said.